Summary of the review:

In adults, what are the associations between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and energy intake and body weight?

To examine the relationships between added sugars and energy intake and body weight in adults, the Carbohydrate and Protein Subcommittee (SC) conducted a search from January 1990 to December 2009. The original search for this question was broad and included terms such as ‘added sugars,’ ‘dietary sucrose,’ ‘candy’ as well as various terms for sugar-sweetened beverages. However, few studies were identified that looked at added sugars other than sugar-sweetened beverages; thus, sugar-sweetened beverages were the focus of this review. The SC included systematic reviews and primary research studies in the Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL) review. Because studies with stronger methodology were available in 2010, the SC excluded cross-sectional studies. However, some of the systematic reviews included in the NEL systematic review considered cross-sectional studies. The SC included systematic reviews with cross-sectional studies; however, they considered study design in their review of these papers. The relationship between the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and childhood adiposity is addressed in a separate question in the Childhood Adiposity topic of the Energy Balance and Weight Management section.

How are non-caloric sweeteners related to energy intake and body weight?

Non-caloric sweeteners was not considered in previous iterations of the DGAC report. The review of non-caloric sweeteners was an update to a previous systematic review conducted by the American Dietetic Association’s Evidence Analysis Library on non-caloric sweeteners and energy intake and body weight. The ADA review addressed literature published from January 1985 through March 2006, and the Committee updated this search from March 2006 to present.

Systematic Review Questions: (Click or hover over links below for more information.)

A moderate body of epidemiologic evidence suggests that greater consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased body weight in adults.

A moderate body of evidence suggests that under isocaloric controlled conditions, added sugars, including sugar-sweetened beverages, are no more likely to cause weight gain than any other source of energy.

Moderate evidence shows that using non-caloric sweeteners will affect energy intake only if they are substituted for higher calorie foods and beverages. A few observational studies reported that individuals who use non-caloric sweeteners are more likely to gain weight or be heavier. This does not mean that non-caloric sweeteners cause weight gain, rather that they are more likely to be consumed by overweight and obese individuals.